Saturday, 21 Jan 2012
BS reported that deputy director of mines for Joda circle has suspended 121 mineral trading licences for not submitting transaction reports.
The local mines director had recently ordered 357 traders in the region to submit details of trading transactions out of which 121 did not respond. The DDM is currently scrutinizing the submitted returns and said strict action will be taken on those who have given false information.
Mr UC Jena DDM of Joda said that “We took action on 121 traders for not complying with the order to submit returns related to transactions. Several other licences might also get suspended very soon.”
Sources said that the strict action from the Joda office is in sync with the state government policy to discourage intermediaries in mineral trade.
The state government, in December, decided not to issue any trading licences for mineral transshipment and also barred trader to trader mineral sale through a notification. It said the stockyards used for transshipment have been main source of illegal mineral trading.
The order issued from state steel and mines department said that “Intermediate stockyards which operate between the source of mineral and the point of end use (ports or steel plants) have the potential to facilitate illegal mining activities on the account of their location in such geographically distributed manner making it difficult to put an effective monitoring mechanism in place.”
(Sourced from BS)
Showing posts with label illegal mining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illegal mining. Show all posts
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
12891 cases of illegal mining in Karnataka
Tuesday, 20 Dec 2011
Mr Dinsha Patel minister of state for mines (independent charge) informed the Rajya Sabha Karnataka state government detected 12891 cases of illegal mining of minor and major minerals for the period June, 2006 till December, 2009, and for the year 2010-11, it has reported 6476 cases of illegal mining.
Details of iron ore produced illegally in Karnataka are not maintained centrally. As per the National Mineral Inventory maintained by the Indian Bureau of Mines, 34.91% of total iron ore resources in the country is found in Karnataka.
As per the directions of Apex Court, mining operations and transportation in Bellary district were suspended till further orders. On 5th August 2011, the Apex Court permitted two mines of NMDC in the Bellary district to produce iron ore to the extent of one million tones per month commencing from 6th August 2011 till further orders and mining operations have been restrained in 142 mines by Court directions on account of environmental hazard in the State of Karnataka, and 40,000 (estimated) workers have been affected by this ban. Further vide directions dated 26th August 2011, mining activities in districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga in Karnataka have also been suspended by the Supreme Court.
Mr Dinsha Patel minister of state for mines (independent charge) informed the Rajya Sabha Karnataka state government detected 12891 cases of illegal mining of minor and major minerals for the period June, 2006 till December, 2009, and for the year 2010-11, it has reported 6476 cases of illegal mining.
Details of iron ore produced illegally in Karnataka are not maintained centrally. As per the National Mineral Inventory maintained by the Indian Bureau of Mines, 34.91% of total iron ore resources in the country is found in Karnataka.
As per the directions of Apex Court, mining operations and transportation in Bellary district were suspended till further orders. On 5th August 2011, the Apex Court permitted two mines of NMDC in the Bellary district to produce iron ore to the extent of one million tones per month commencing from 6th August 2011 till further orders and mining operations have been restrained in 142 mines by Court directions on account of environmental hazard in the State of Karnataka, and 40,000 (estimated) workers have been affected by this ban. Further vide directions dated 26th August 2011, mining activities in districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga in Karnataka have also been suspended by the Supreme Court.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Exports may be canalized - Report
Monday, 19 Dec 2011
Business Standard reported that to monitor iron ore exports, a cause of illegal mining, the Indian government plans to canalise exports of the mineral.
The report quoted a senior official as saying that “The proposal will be sent to the Union Cabinet once inter ministerial discussions are completed. The ministry of mines is in discussion with the ministry of commerce and industry.”
He told BS “The basic idea is to have a single agency accountable for the illegalities that arise in the iron ore trade.”
The official said “The setting up of a canalising agency would act as a short-term solution until we put in place mechanisms to improve poor last-mile governance in mineral-rich states, the basic reason for illegal mining.”
The report added that the government is considering the recommendation on a ban on exports in the context of the export import policy.
Currently, iron ore exporting companies enter independent bilateral deals with foreign entities. If the canalising proposal comes through, big exporters such as Sesa Goa, Fomento Resources, MSPL Ltd and VM Salgaokar & Bro would be forced to execute these contracts through a government owned company such as MMTC, NMDC or State Trading Corporation.
(Sourced from BS)
Business Standard reported that to monitor iron ore exports, a cause of illegal mining, the Indian government plans to canalise exports of the mineral.
The report quoted a senior official as saying that “The proposal will be sent to the Union Cabinet once inter ministerial discussions are completed. The ministry of mines is in discussion with the ministry of commerce and industry.”
He told BS “The basic idea is to have a single agency accountable for the illegalities that arise in the iron ore trade.”
The official said “The setting up of a canalising agency would act as a short-term solution until we put in place mechanisms to improve poor last-mile governance in mineral-rich states, the basic reason for illegal mining.”
The report added that the government is considering the recommendation on a ban on exports in the context of the export import policy.
Currently, iron ore exporting companies enter independent bilateral deals with foreign entities. If the canalising proposal comes through, big exporters such as Sesa Goa, Fomento Resources, MSPL Ltd and VM Salgaokar & Bro would be forced to execute these contracts through a government owned company such as MMTC, NMDC or State Trading Corporation.
(Sourced from BS)
Friday, December 9, 2011
Shah Commission begins probe into illegal mining in Orissa
Friday, 09 Dec 2011
PTI reported that the Centre appointed Shah Commission led by former Supreme Court judge Justice MB Shah has formally began investigation into illegal mining in Orissa.
The Commission held a discussion with the district authorities of Keonjhar and Sundergarh besides authorities of the railways, Indian Bureau of Mines and forest officials.
Collectors, superintendents of police, divisional forest officers, regional manager of the pollution control board and vigilance officer of the south eastern railways attended the meeting.
The commission members are scheduled to visit certain mines in Joda areas of Keonjhar district and Koida area in Sundergarh district, an official said.
The commission was unlikely to hold public hearing due to shortage of time.
(Sourced from PTI)
PTI reported that the Centre appointed Shah Commission led by former Supreme Court judge Justice MB Shah has formally began investigation into illegal mining in Orissa.
The Commission held a discussion with the district authorities of Keonjhar and Sundergarh besides authorities of the railways, Indian Bureau of Mines and forest officials.
Collectors, superintendents of police, divisional forest officers, regional manager of the pollution control board and vigilance officer of the south eastern railways attended the meeting.
The commission members are scheduled to visit certain mines in Joda areas of Keonjhar district and Koida area in Sundergarh district, an official said.
The commission was unlikely to hold public hearing due to shortage of time.
(Sourced from PTI)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
43 on trial over coal mining dispute in Yunnan Province
Wednesday, 02 Nov 2011
Xinhua reported that 43 people went on trial Tuesday in southwest China's Yunnan Province on charges including organized crime, blackmail and illegal mining and grabs of farmland.
The gang was involved in a fatal coal mine dispute late last year in which nine of its members were killed and 19 more injured.
On November 18th 2010, over 100 people headed by ringleader Mr Zheng Chunyun arrived at a coal mine in Luxi county of Honghe prefecture wielding steel pipes and knives to settle a dispute. But they were ambushed by their opponents, headed by Mr Wang Jianfu, who set off explosives and opened fire with guns.
Mr Wang, contractor of the Xiaosongdi Coal Mine, had a dispute over mining resources with Mr Zheng, the owner of a neighboring mine.
Mr Zheng was charged with running a mafia style gang since 2000, the intermediate people's court in Honghe prefecture said in a statement.
Mr Zheng and 42 others were charged with organized crime, intentional injury, robbery, blackmail, operating gambling houses, forced dealings and illegal seizures of farmland.
The trial is scheduled to last seven days.
Mr Wang and 25 members of his side stood trial last week and the verdict is also to be announced later.
(Sourced from Xinhua)
Xinhua reported that 43 people went on trial Tuesday in southwest China's Yunnan Province on charges including organized crime, blackmail and illegal mining and grabs of farmland.
The gang was involved in a fatal coal mine dispute late last year in which nine of its members were killed and 19 more injured.
On November 18th 2010, over 100 people headed by ringleader Mr Zheng Chunyun arrived at a coal mine in Luxi county of Honghe prefecture wielding steel pipes and knives to settle a dispute. But they were ambushed by their opponents, headed by Mr Wang Jianfu, who set off explosives and opened fire with guns.
Mr Wang, contractor of the Xiaosongdi Coal Mine, had a dispute over mining resources with Mr Zheng, the owner of a neighboring mine.
Mr Zheng was charged with running a mafia style gang since 2000, the intermediate people's court in Honghe prefecture said in a statement.
Mr Zheng and 42 others were charged with organized crime, intentional injury, robbery, blackmail, operating gambling houses, forced dealings and illegal seizures of farmland.
The trial is scheduled to last seven days.
Mr Wang and 25 members of his side stood trial last week and the verdict is also to be announced later.
(Sourced from Xinhua)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Andhra Pradesh’s home minister in CBI net over illegal mining
Oct31, 2011 | Agency: DNA
Hyderabad :In an effort to step up the investigation into the illegal iron-ore mining by jailed mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy, the CBI has brought Andhra Pradesh’s home minister Sabitha Reddy under its scanner.
CBI officials questioned Reddy for two hours late on Friday. She was the mines minister from 2004 to 2009 during former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime and is believed to be instrumental in offering several clearances to various mines companies, including that of Janardhana Reddy.
Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by Janardhana Reddy, was granted mining leases during YSR’s regime and several files pertaining to the leases were endorsed by Sabitha Reddy. Interestingly, the former mines minister’s questioning follows a grilling of the then mines secretary Sri Lakshmi.
In fact, Sri Lakshmi and the then director of mines, Rajagopal, have been under the CBI scanner and the duo was questioned by the CBI several times.Sri Lakshmi was called for yet another round of questioning by the officials on Friday, followed by Sabitha Reddy’s questioning. However, sources rule out any direct relation between the questioning of the duo.
One key aspect the CBI is looking at is the way the permissions for mining were accorded to Janardhana Reddy’s company. Sources said the CBI has found several interesting aspects in the way the files were cleared. Various approvals for OMC were given by the government and the files were cleared by Sabitha Reddy’s office the same day.
“About six mining leases were cleared on a single day and that is unusual since mining lease is a complicated issue,” the source said. The CBI has already questioned people at various levels starting from the sarpanch of the village where the mines are located to the minister now.
The CBI team has also recently visited Krishnapatnam port, one of the major private sector ports in the country. The port, located in Nellore, was used by Janardhana Reddy to export iron ore. CBI officials are believed to have collected several documents to support their case against him.
Reddy and his brother-in-law, BV Srinivas Reddy, are accused of having indulged in illegal mining and exporting iron ore mined in various places in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by using OMC’s invoices.
The duo is currently lodged in the Chanchalguda central prison in Hyderabad. The CBI is said to be ready with the content required for the chargesheet and is expected to file the document within the stipulated timeframe.
Hyderabad :In an effort to step up the investigation into the illegal iron-ore mining by jailed mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy, the CBI has brought Andhra Pradesh’s home minister Sabitha Reddy under its scanner.
CBI officials questioned Reddy for two hours late on Friday. She was the mines minister from 2004 to 2009 during former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime and is believed to be instrumental in offering several clearances to various mines companies, including that of Janardhana Reddy.
Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by Janardhana Reddy, was granted mining leases during YSR’s regime and several files pertaining to the leases were endorsed by Sabitha Reddy. Interestingly, the former mines minister’s questioning follows a grilling of the then mines secretary Sri Lakshmi.
In fact, Sri Lakshmi and the then director of mines, Rajagopal, have been under the CBI scanner and the duo was questioned by the CBI several times.Sri Lakshmi was called for yet another round of questioning by the officials on Friday, followed by Sabitha Reddy’s questioning. However, sources rule out any direct relation between the questioning of the duo.
One key aspect the CBI is looking at is the way the permissions for mining were accorded to Janardhana Reddy’s company. Sources said the CBI has found several interesting aspects in the way the files were cleared. Various approvals for OMC were given by the government and the files were cleared by Sabitha Reddy’s office the same day.
“About six mining leases were cleared on a single day and that is unusual since mining lease is a complicated issue,” the source said. The CBI has already questioned people at various levels starting from the sarpanch of the village where the mines are located to the minister now.
The CBI team has also recently visited Krishnapatnam port, one of the major private sector ports in the country. The port, located in Nellore, was used by Janardhana Reddy to export iron ore. CBI officials are believed to have collected several documents to support their case against him.
Reddy and his brother-in-law, BV Srinivas Reddy, are accused of having indulged in illegal mining and exporting iron ore mined in various places in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by using OMC’s invoices.
The duo is currently lodged in the Chanchalguda central prison in Hyderabad. The CBI is said to be ready with the content required for the chargesheet and is expected to file the document within the stipulated timeframe.
Monday, October 10, 2011
CBI gets evidence against BJP MLA's firm
Monday, 10 Oct 2011
Press Trust Of India reported that CBI, investigating into illegal mining in Karnataka, has claimed to have gathered evidence on alleged export of ten lakh tons of iron ore using fake transport documents by a mining firm owned by ruling BJP MLA Mr B Nagendra.
During searches conducted last week, a CBI team led by its Superintendent of Police Mr Subramanya Rao had collected documents from Forest, Mining, and Transport departments and several fake permits had the signatures of Mr Nagendra.
In the FIR recently filed against Mr Nagendra, a close associate of the arrested former Karnataka minister Mr Gali Janardhana Reddy, the CBI had said that during 2009-10 the MLA had transported the iron ore and evaded INR 192 crore Forest Development Cess.
Mr Nagendra had been charged with using iron ore mined in 101.12 hectares of mining areas leased in Sandur taluk to Mr Janardhana Reddy owned Obulapuram Mining Company.
The sources said CBI had also identified several officials of Mines and Geology, Forest, Police and Revenue departments who have allegedly helped Mr Nagendra's firm in illegal transport of iron ore, adding that they might be questioned in the due course.
(Sourced from hindustantimes.com)
Press Trust Of India reported that CBI, investigating into illegal mining in Karnataka, has claimed to have gathered evidence on alleged export of ten lakh tons of iron ore using fake transport documents by a mining firm owned by ruling BJP MLA Mr B Nagendra.
During searches conducted last week, a CBI team led by its Superintendent of Police Mr Subramanya Rao had collected documents from Forest, Mining, and Transport departments and several fake permits had the signatures of Mr Nagendra.
In the FIR recently filed against Mr Nagendra, a close associate of the arrested former Karnataka minister Mr Gali Janardhana Reddy, the CBI had said that during 2009-10 the MLA had transported the iron ore and evaded INR 192 crore Forest Development Cess.
Mr Nagendra had been charged with using iron ore mined in 101.12 hectares of mining areas leased in Sandur taluk to Mr Janardhana Reddy owned Obulapuram Mining Company.
The sources said CBI had also identified several officials of Mines and Geology, Forest, Police and Revenue departments who have allegedly helped Mr Nagendra's firm in illegal transport of iron ore, adding that they might be questioned in the due course.
(Sourced from hindustantimes.com)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Probe uses satellite images
Thursday, 08 Sep 2011
The CBI took recourse to satellite imagery to trace huge amounts of iron ore stacked illegally around Obulapuram Mining Company.
While OMC promoters claimed they had been excavated from the Obulapuram mines, investigators discovered that most stocks found there had been transported illegally from mines dotting the Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh border.
The satellite images, a CBI source claimed, nailed the lie of the OMC promoters. The source said that "It was clear that iron ore from other mines had been carted to Obulapuram mines and shown as an OMC product.”
While Obulapuram mines are located in Andhra Pradesh's Ananpur district, OMC's head office is located in neighboring Bellary, which falls in Karnataka. Besides Janardhana Reddy, his brothers Karunakara and Somsekhara are the co promoters of OMC.
CBI, along with the Survey of India, had earlier this year been asked by the Supreme Court to undertake a survey of the iron-ore mines leased to the Reddy brothers in Anantpur district. As part of the survey, the two agencies are learnt to have taken recourse to satellite imagery.
The Reddys are accused of mining far beyond the 25.9 hectares their company was allowed. CBI alleges the Reddys dug deep into the Bellary Reserve forest area, which includes portions of both Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh and Bellary in Karnataka.
Mr Janardhana and his brother in law Mr Sreenivas Reddy the managing director of Bellary Mining Corporation, were on Monday arrested by CBI for illegal mining by OMC. They have been remanded to judicial custody.
(Sourced from ET)
The CBI took recourse to satellite imagery to trace huge amounts of iron ore stacked illegally around Obulapuram Mining Company.
While OMC promoters claimed they had been excavated from the Obulapuram mines, investigators discovered that most stocks found there had been transported illegally from mines dotting the Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh border.
The satellite images, a CBI source claimed, nailed the lie of the OMC promoters. The source said that "It was clear that iron ore from other mines had been carted to Obulapuram mines and shown as an OMC product.”
While Obulapuram mines are located in Andhra Pradesh's Ananpur district, OMC's head office is located in neighboring Bellary, which falls in Karnataka. Besides Janardhana Reddy, his brothers Karunakara and Somsekhara are the co promoters of OMC.
CBI, along with the Survey of India, had earlier this year been asked by the Supreme Court to undertake a survey of the iron-ore mines leased to the Reddy brothers in Anantpur district. As part of the survey, the two agencies are learnt to have taken recourse to satellite imagery.
The Reddys are accused of mining far beyond the 25.9 hectares their company was allowed. CBI alleges the Reddys dug deep into the Bellary Reserve forest area, which includes portions of both Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh and Bellary in Karnataka.
Mr Janardhana and his brother in law Mr Sreenivas Reddy the managing director of Bellary Mining Corporation, were on Monday arrested by CBI for illegal mining by OMC. They have been remanded to judicial custody.
(Sourced from ET)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The case against Janardhan Reddy
Tue Sep 06 2011
Johnson T A
Bangalore: Between the financial year 2006-07 and 2010-11, the Andhra Pradesh-based Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) of former Karnataka minister G Janardhan Reddy did not receive a single permit from the mining department in Karnataka to export iron ore.
Yet, data gathered by investigating agencies from 10 different ports in south India for the period shows that the OMC — with iron ore mining leases only in Andhra Pradesh — exported 71,61,455 MT of iron ore by claiming its point of origin as mines in Karnataka.
If there is one key fact nailing Reddy and his company in the CBI investigations, it is the disparity in the data for exports by the former minister’s company.
Much of the details of what is emerging as a widespread mafia-style iron ore smuggling business, spanning Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, comes from the collation of information by investigating agencies as varied as the Karnataka Lokayukta, the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate.
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Investigations by the Karnataka Lokayukta that resulted in a July 27 report have already highlighted the fact that OMC was being supplied iron ore by an elaborate network of front companies linked to Reddy and his associates involved in criminal smash and grab tactics in Karnataka. Lokayukta sources said the details of their investigation was provided to the CBI in an information sharing arrangement that is gradually unravelling the illegal mining mafia.
“The investigating team has reported that these export details requires further investigation. It has also stated that CBI is dealing with the matter in this regard and the said agency may take note of it,’’ the Karnataka Lokayukta report of July 27 had stated.
Lokayukta sources said Reddy finds himself at the centre of investigations along with B V Srinivasa Reddy, who is a partner and MD at OMC, on account of their day-to-day role in the activities of the company and as the brains behind it.
Others like Reddy’s brother, MLA Karunakara Reddy and their close associate B Sriramulu who resigned as an MLA on Sunday, played a less direct role but were direct beneficiaries of the illegal activities and could find themselves in the loop of investigations, sources said.
Apart from the fact that OMC exported iron ore obtained from unexplained sources the company is also accused of resorting to under invoicing during the course of their export activities between the years 2007-08 and 2008-09. The total loss to the national exchequer for the period from under invoicing has been put at Rs 215.12 crore by the Karnataka Lokayukta’s probe team.
Among other crucial findings that will have a bearing on the CBI probe in Andhra Pradesh into the mining business of Reddy and associates are the findings of the Income Tax department and Lokayukta on the activities of several benami companies linked to the Reddys.
One firm called Sri Bhakta Markandeshwara Minerals (SBMM) from Hospet in Bellary has a man called Kashi Vishwanath as its owner on paper. Investigations have shown that SBMM and at least two other similar benami companies are actually run by a man called Karapudi Mahesh who allegedly transports iron ore looted from mines in Bellary to ports around South India for export. Details from bank transactions and personal diaries of Karapudi Mahesh have revealed that he made regular payments under a “risk amount” column to a person identified in his diary as “G J Reddy Sir”.
In another illegal arrangement for obtaining iron ore, three companies, Devi Enterprises, Madhushree Enterprises and Sree Minerals, are alleged to have been floated as front companies of OMC. These companies were run by close associates of Reddy including OMC managing director B V Srinivas Reddy and Ali Khan, Reddy’s personal assistant.
These companies are alleged to have arm-twisted their way into legitimate mining areas, disputed mining sites, forest land or dormant mining sites and extracted iron ore for OMC’s supplies or export on their own. Payments made for the analysis of iron ore by Devi Enterprises and Madhushree Enterprises on behalf of OMC demonstrates that these companies were working as part of a mafia group, according to the Lokayukta report.
In 2009-10 alone, the illegal mining mafia from Bellary through its network of operatives and operations is alleged to have illegally exported a total quantity of 73,99,314 MT of iron ore from various port costing the exchequer an approximate loss of Rs 1849.82 crore at an average price of Rs 2500 per metric ton.
(By IndianExpress)
Johnson T A
Bangalore: Between the financial year 2006-07 and 2010-11, the Andhra Pradesh-based Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) of former Karnataka minister G Janardhan Reddy did not receive a single permit from the mining department in Karnataka to export iron ore.
Yet, data gathered by investigating agencies from 10 different ports in south India for the period shows that the OMC — with iron ore mining leases only in Andhra Pradesh — exported 71,61,455 MT of iron ore by claiming its point of origin as mines in Karnataka.
If there is one key fact nailing Reddy and his company in the CBI investigations, it is the disparity in the data for exports by the former minister’s company.
Much of the details of what is emerging as a widespread mafia-style iron ore smuggling business, spanning Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, comes from the collation of information by investigating agencies as varied as the Karnataka Lokayukta, the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate.
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Investigations by the Karnataka Lokayukta that resulted in a July 27 report have already highlighted the fact that OMC was being supplied iron ore by an elaborate network of front companies linked to Reddy and his associates involved in criminal smash and grab tactics in Karnataka. Lokayukta sources said the details of their investigation was provided to the CBI in an information sharing arrangement that is gradually unravelling the illegal mining mafia.
“The investigating team has reported that these export details requires further investigation. It has also stated that CBI is dealing with the matter in this regard and the said agency may take note of it,’’ the Karnataka Lokayukta report of July 27 had stated.
Lokayukta sources said Reddy finds himself at the centre of investigations along with B V Srinivasa Reddy, who is a partner and MD at OMC, on account of their day-to-day role in the activities of the company and as the brains behind it.
Others like Reddy’s brother, MLA Karunakara Reddy and their close associate B Sriramulu who resigned as an MLA on Sunday, played a less direct role but were direct beneficiaries of the illegal activities and could find themselves in the loop of investigations, sources said.
Apart from the fact that OMC exported iron ore obtained from unexplained sources the company is also accused of resorting to under invoicing during the course of their export activities between the years 2007-08 and 2008-09. The total loss to the national exchequer for the period from under invoicing has been put at Rs 215.12 crore by the Karnataka Lokayukta’s probe team.
Among other crucial findings that will have a bearing on the CBI probe in Andhra Pradesh into the mining business of Reddy and associates are the findings of the Income Tax department and Lokayukta on the activities of several benami companies linked to the Reddys.
One firm called Sri Bhakta Markandeshwara Minerals (SBMM) from Hospet in Bellary has a man called Kashi Vishwanath as its owner on paper. Investigations have shown that SBMM and at least two other similar benami companies are actually run by a man called Karapudi Mahesh who allegedly transports iron ore looted from mines in Bellary to ports around South India for export. Details from bank transactions and personal diaries of Karapudi Mahesh have revealed that he made regular payments under a “risk amount” column to a person identified in his diary as “G J Reddy Sir”.
In another illegal arrangement for obtaining iron ore, three companies, Devi Enterprises, Madhushree Enterprises and Sree Minerals, are alleged to have been floated as front companies of OMC. These companies were run by close associates of Reddy including OMC managing director B V Srinivas Reddy and Ali Khan, Reddy’s personal assistant.
These companies are alleged to have arm-twisted their way into legitimate mining areas, disputed mining sites, forest land or dormant mining sites and extracted iron ore for OMC’s supplies or export on their own. Payments made for the analysis of iron ore by Devi Enterprises and Madhushree Enterprises on behalf of OMC demonstrates that these companies were working as part of a mafia group, according to the Lokayukta report.
In 2009-10 alone, the illegal mining mafia from Bellary through its network of operatives and operations is alleged to have illegally exported a total quantity of 73,99,314 MT of iron ore from various port costing the exchequer an approximate loss of Rs 1849.82 crore at an average price of Rs 2500 per metric ton.
(By IndianExpress)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Over 82000 illegal mining cases in 2010
Tuesday, 16 Aug 2011
Illegal mining activities witnessed a sharp spike in India during 2010, with 82,330 cases detected by law enforcement agencies during the year, almost double the 41,578 cases unearthed in 2009.
Mines Minister Mr Dinsha Patel informed the Rajya Sabha that the rate of illegal mining appears to be accelerating, as government agencies detected as many as 24,405 cases in the first three months (January to March) of 2011, almost 30% the number of such activities seen in the whole of 2010.
In his reply, Mr Patel said that in 2010, the highest number of illegal mining cases were reported in Maharashtra, at 34,384, which accounted for about 41.64% of the cases registered across the nation during the year. The number of cases detected in Maharashtra in 2010 was 4.14 times the number seen in 2009, when 8,270 cases were reported.
However, he did not specify the minerals for which large scale illegal mining activities were taking place.
Illegal mining activities in Karnataka, which is under the Supreme Court scanner, have risen by 2.93 times, with 4,949 cases reported in 2010, as against 1,687 such incidents in 2009.
Similarly, other mineral rich states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have also reported a huge rise in illegal mining cases, reporting 17,882 and 2,942 cases, respectively, in 2010. These are about 1.54 times and 2.72 times higher than the 2009 figures for the respective states.
Data provided in Mr Patel's reply showed that the above four states accounted for almost 73% of the illegal mining cases lodged in 2010, at 60,057.
It further said that illegal mining activities have been continuously rising and between January and March this year, with 10,349 cases detected in Maharashtra alone, about 30% of the total number of cases reported in 2010.
Moreover, Karnataka reported 1,263 illegal mining cases between January and March this year, 25% of the 2010 figure for the state.
Similar stories have been reported in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where 4,594 and 923 illegal mining cases were detected in the first three months of 2011.
(Sourced from ET)
Illegal mining activities witnessed a sharp spike in India during 2010, with 82,330 cases detected by law enforcement agencies during the year, almost double the 41,578 cases unearthed in 2009.
Mines Minister Mr Dinsha Patel informed the Rajya Sabha that the rate of illegal mining appears to be accelerating, as government agencies detected as many as 24,405 cases in the first three months (January to March) of 2011, almost 30% the number of such activities seen in the whole of 2010.
In his reply, Mr Patel said that in 2010, the highest number of illegal mining cases were reported in Maharashtra, at 34,384, which accounted for about 41.64% of the cases registered across the nation during the year. The number of cases detected in Maharashtra in 2010 was 4.14 times the number seen in 2009, when 8,270 cases were reported.
However, he did not specify the minerals for which large scale illegal mining activities were taking place.
Illegal mining activities in Karnataka, which is under the Supreme Court scanner, have risen by 2.93 times, with 4,949 cases reported in 2010, as against 1,687 such incidents in 2009.
Similarly, other mineral rich states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have also reported a huge rise in illegal mining cases, reporting 17,882 and 2,942 cases, respectively, in 2010. These are about 1.54 times and 2.72 times higher than the 2009 figures for the respective states.
Data provided in Mr Patel's reply showed that the above four states accounted for almost 73% of the illegal mining cases lodged in 2010, at 60,057.
It further said that illegal mining activities have been continuously rising and between January and March this year, with 10,349 cases detected in Maharashtra alone, about 30% of the total number of cases reported in 2010.
Moreover, Karnataka reported 1,263 illegal mining cases between January and March this year, 25% of the 2010 figure for the state.
Similar stories have been reported in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where 4,594 and 923 illegal mining cases were detected in the first three months of 2011.
(Sourced from ET)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Blood and Iron' in Bellary: A shocking tale
Thu,Aug 11, 2011
New Delhi:
Documentary Film: "Blood and Iron";
Director: Paranjoy Guha Thakurta;
Rating:****
Even the conservative statistics are staggering - 500,000 tonnes of iron ore stolen, leading to a loss of Rs.5,000 crore to the nation (a more real estimate is 10 times this sum). Where did the money go? According to the film, into the coffers of the three Galli brothers - Galli Janardhana Reddy, Galli Karunakara Reddy and Galli Somashekara Reddy -, their associates and the two largest political parties in the nation, the BJP and Congress.
Is it any wonder that right at the beginning of this bold 96-minute documentary a person puts the loot into perspective, saying, "It is the biggest scandal of independent India" while another declares, "The way these guys loot the country makes Nader Shah and Ghaznavids look like pickpockets."
And yet the Galli brothers were holding ministerial berths in the state legislature until recently. Adding a sense of irony, the film shows G. Janardhana Reddy claiming innocence and stating all the people merely act out our destiny. Convenient reasoning indeed for a man who has broken almost every law in India and has literally moved state borders to his convenience.
According to Guha Thakurta, the film is about the tripartite confluence of crime, business and politics in southern India. You can add another - religion. For two reasons - one, that it is the BJP that has supported the Galli brothers and, two, that the brothers have 'donated' a 30-kg gold crown studded with a stunning emerald of 816 carats and 35,554 diamonds to Tirupati. The crown of the lord of Tirupati is thus washed in blood and iron.
This looting of the iron is not just the BJP's doing. In adjoining Andhra Pradesh, it is the Congress party that provides them patronage. "Blood and Iron" thus gives ample proof that politicians really have no party and that the only undisputed fact about them is that they are corrupt.
The greatest strength of the film is that inside 90 minutes it manages to dig into all the angles to this greatest pilferage of India's resource, including the environmental one. The visuals of once green mountains now ripped red, an impoverished dog on red soil and a white cow bathing in a brick red river make you feel as if the hills have been skinned alive and mother earth's blood is flowing through its red streams.
Guha Thakurta uses his three and a half decades of journalistic experience to interview a cross section of people - judges, journalists, activist, writers, singers and the common man - and paints a picture of a nation in decline, of mother India being raped by her own sons.
Weaving music and protest songs into the narrative, the film gives a complete ringside view of the truth behind the greatest loot of the nation.
Guha Thakurta says, "Bellary has become a synonym for everything wrong with Indian democracy."
New Delhi:
Documentary Film: "Blood and Iron";
Director: Paranjoy Guha Thakurta;
Rating:****
"Scandals like 2G, CWG, etc, lead to a notional loss of money. When you consider illegal mining, there's no comparison because that is the loss of a non-renewable resource that can never be got back," Paranjoy Guha Thakurta thus explains why he made his film, "Blood and Iron", on illegal iron ore mining in Bellary rather than, say, on other scams that have captured the nation's imagination.
Even the conservative statistics are staggering - 500,000 tonnes of iron ore stolen, leading to a loss of Rs.5,000 crore to the nation (a more real estimate is 10 times this sum). Where did the money go? According to the film, into the coffers of the three Galli brothers - Galli Janardhana Reddy, Galli Karunakara Reddy and Galli Somashekara Reddy -, their associates and the two largest political parties in the nation, the BJP and Congress.
Is it any wonder that right at the beginning of this bold 96-minute documentary a person puts the loot into perspective, saying, "It is the biggest scandal of independent India" while another declares, "The way these guys loot the country makes Nader Shah and Ghaznavids look like pickpockets."
And yet the Galli brothers were holding ministerial berths in the state legislature until recently. Adding a sense of irony, the film shows G. Janardhana Reddy claiming innocence and stating all the people merely act out our destiny. Convenient reasoning indeed for a man who has broken almost every law in India and has literally moved state borders to his convenience.
According to Guha Thakurta, the film is about the tripartite confluence of crime, business and politics in southern India. You can add another - religion. For two reasons - one, that it is the BJP that has supported the Galli brothers and, two, that the brothers have 'donated' a 30-kg gold crown studded with a stunning emerald of 816 carats and 35,554 diamonds to Tirupati. The crown of the lord of Tirupati is thus washed in blood and iron.
This looting of the iron is not just the BJP's doing. In adjoining Andhra Pradesh, it is the Congress party that provides them patronage. "Blood and Iron" thus gives ample proof that politicians really have no party and that the only undisputed fact about them is that they are corrupt.
The greatest strength of the film is that inside 90 minutes it manages to dig into all the angles to this greatest pilferage of India's resource, including the environmental one. The visuals of once green mountains now ripped red, an impoverished dog on red soil and a white cow bathing in a brick red river make you feel as if the hills have been skinned alive and mother earth's blood is flowing through its red streams.
Guha Thakurta uses his three and a half decades of journalistic experience to interview a cross section of people - judges, journalists, activist, writers, singers and the common man - and paints a picture of a nation in decline, of mother India being raped by her own sons.
Weaving music and protest songs into the narrative, the film gives a complete ringside view of the truth behind the greatest loot of the nation.
Guha Thakurta says, "Bellary has become a synonym for everything wrong with Indian democracy."
Monday, August 1, 2011
126 million tonnes of iron ore shipped from 10 southern ports
Monday, 01 Aug 2011 |By BL
Karnataka Lokayukta in its report said that Karnataka origin mineral wealth totaling 126 million tonnes was exported from 10 ports located in the southern States from 2006-07 till 2010. Out of this, export of illicit iron ore of Karnataka origin was 33.1 million tonnes.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, Mr Santosh Hedge in his report mentions that shipping bills of iron ore exports having Karnataka as the ‘State of origin,' have been taken as the basis for calculating the quantity of iron ore exported from the State.
According to the data seized from computers of Gujarat based Adani Enterprises Ltd and Goa based Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Private Ltd the average per truckload quantity received in Adani plots and Shree Mallikarjun plots in Belekeri port was 20.26 tonnes against the permitted load of 16 tonnes. The data pertains to 299,255 trips to Belekeri port between the period October 2009 to May 2010.
The Lokayukta team has assessed that illicit iron ore was transported to ports in excess of permitted quantity and significant quantity of illicit ore might have been transported through vehicles overloading.
The report said that “It is pertinent to note that the computed figures point towards large scale transport without any permit or with forged permit in the two years of 2009 and 2010.”
The ports from where iron ore along with quantity have been exported are:
Belekeri (Karnataka) 2.03 crore tonnes
Chennai and Ennore (Tamil Nadu) 3.52 crore tonnes
Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) 8.1 million tonnes
Karwar (Karnataka) 7.6 million tonnes
Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 2.45 crore tonnes
New Mangalore (Karnataka) 2.92 crore tonnes
The report revealed that permits for domestic destinations increased from 8.85 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 16.8 million tonnes in 2007-08. Thereafter the permits issued for domestic consumption in tonnes remained steady between 16.8 million tonnes and 18.8 million tonnes in 2009-10.
Permits issued for domestic consumption in 2010 (April to July) were 7.06 million tonnes. Hence, there were no large fluctuations in permits issued for domestic consumption in the last five years.
Karnataka Lokayukta in its report said that Karnataka origin mineral wealth totaling 126 million tonnes was exported from 10 ports located in the southern States from 2006-07 till 2010. Out of this, export of illicit iron ore of Karnataka origin was 33.1 million tonnes.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, Mr Santosh Hedge in his report mentions that shipping bills of iron ore exports having Karnataka as the ‘State of origin,' have been taken as the basis for calculating the quantity of iron ore exported from the State.
According to the data seized from computers of Gujarat based Adani Enterprises Ltd and Goa based Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Private Ltd the average per truckload quantity received in Adani plots and Shree Mallikarjun plots in Belekeri port was 20.26 tonnes against the permitted load of 16 tonnes. The data pertains to 299,255 trips to Belekeri port between the period October 2009 to May 2010.
The Lokayukta team has assessed that illicit iron ore was transported to ports in excess of permitted quantity and significant quantity of illicit ore might have been transported through vehicles overloading.
The report said that “It is pertinent to note that the computed figures point towards large scale transport without any permit or with forged permit in the two years of 2009 and 2010.”
The ports from where iron ore along with quantity have been exported are:
Belekeri (Karnataka) 2.03 crore tonnes
Chennai and Ennore (Tamil Nadu) 3.52 crore tonnes
Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) 8.1 million tonnes
Karwar (Karnataka) 7.6 million tonnes
Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 2.45 crore tonnes
New Mangalore (Karnataka) 2.92 crore tonnes
The report revealed that permits for domestic destinations increased from 8.85 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 16.8 million tonnes in 2007-08. Thereafter the permits issued for domestic consumption in tonnes remained steady between 16.8 million tonnes and 18.8 million tonnes in 2009-10.
Permits issued for domestic consumption in 2010 (April to July) were 7.06 million tonnes. Hence, there were no large fluctuations in permits issued for domestic consumption in the last five years.
Karnataka deposits may vanish in 20 years
Mon, August01, 2011 | AsianAge
The Central Empower Committee in its latest report to the Supreme Court has rung alarming bells for iron ore rich Karnataka stating that if the centre and the state governments failed to take immediate action to check the illegal mining the iron deposits in the state would dry up in the next 20 years and in the process its entire dense forest cover might also vanish.
Reeling out figures after figures on the volume of illegal excavation of iron ore, devastation caused to the forests and uprooting of local population, amicus curiae Mr Shyam Diwan told the green bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India that due to the massive increase in export to China, Malaysia, Singapore and other Asean countries during past decade, the extraction of iron ore in Karnataka increased from mere 1.2 million tonnes per annum in 2001 to over 5 million tones now.
He said that “But the annual excavation figure might even be higher as there is no exact data available for the actual amount of iron ore extracted by way of illegal mining.”
In response to CJI’s specific query about the estimated iron ore deposits in Karnataka, Mr Diwan quoting from Indian Bureau of Mines data stated that it was estimated to be over 1,000 million tonnes.
Mr Diwan quoting from CEC report said that “There are several expert reports, which stated that if the illegal mining continued in this manner, the annual excavation could cross over 10 million tonnes and the entire iron deposits in Karnataka may dry up in the next 20 years.”
The Central Empower Committee’s findings were supported with the data of Lokayukta and reports of some other expert agencies cited by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has filed a PIL on behalf of NGO, Samaj Parivartan Samudaya seeking total ban on illegal mining.
The Central Empower Committee in its latest report to the Supreme Court has rung alarming bells for iron ore rich Karnataka stating that if the centre and the state governments failed to take immediate action to check the illegal mining the iron deposits in the state would dry up in the next 20 years and in the process its entire dense forest cover might also vanish.
Reeling out figures after figures on the volume of illegal excavation of iron ore, devastation caused to the forests and uprooting of local population, amicus curiae Mr Shyam Diwan told the green bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India that due to the massive increase in export to China, Malaysia, Singapore and other Asean countries during past decade, the extraction of iron ore in Karnataka increased from mere 1.2 million tonnes per annum in 2001 to over 5 million tones now.
He said that “But the annual excavation figure might even be higher as there is no exact data available for the actual amount of iron ore extracted by way of illegal mining.”
In response to CJI’s specific query about the estimated iron ore deposits in Karnataka, Mr Diwan quoting from Indian Bureau of Mines data stated that it was estimated to be over 1,000 million tonnes.
Mr Diwan quoting from CEC report said that “There are several expert reports, which stated that if the illegal mining continued in this manner, the annual excavation could cross over 10 million tonnes and the entire iron deposits in Karnataka may dry up in the next 20 years.”
The Central Empower Committee’s findings were supported with the data of Lokayukta and reports of some other expert agencies cited by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has filed a PIL on behalf of NGO, Samaj Parivartan Samudaya seeking total ban on illegal mining.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Belekeri port was anchor point for irregularities
Saturday, 30 Jul 2011 |By DHNS
Justice Santosh Hegde in chapter 2 titled ‘Export of illicit iron ore from Belekeri port’ on illegal mining said that large scale irregularities were found in the small port at Belekeri, south of Karwar in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
His team, along with the forest department which had raided and seized ore at the port, had subsequently lost most of it to theft. About 610,000 tonnes of the seized ore was stolen, while only 272,000 tonne remains at the port.
The report states large scale illegal exports of ore was done by private companies Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Pvt Ltd, Adani Enterprises Ltd, Salgaonkar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd and Raj Mahal Silks.
Officials of the ports department, customs, police, KSPCB, CRZ, mines department and local politicians received bribes from Adani Enterprises for undue favors for illegal exports.
It was found that 44 companies were supplying ore exclusively to Adani, 30 companies to SMSPL and eight to both companies.
The companies are GG Mines of Gogga Gurushantaiah and brothers, Continent Impex Pvt Ltd, Nagappa mines of Shantalakshmi Jairam, SB Minerals, Junjubail of Dream Logistics, SVK Jaisingpura of SB Minerals, SVK Danapur of S B Minerals, VS Lad, Nadeem Minerals, Sunrise of SB Minerals, ILC of SB Minerals, ILC Bevanahalli, Trident Minerals, Lakshmi Venkateshwara Minerals, Arshad Export of SB Minerals, Alpine International of Vesco, Bharat Mines and Minerals, Taurine Iron and Steel Co Pvt Ltd and Satya Granites.
The report said that the ore illegally extracted and transported came from Hospet, Sandur, Bellary and Koppal.
The total ore exported from Belekeri port from 2006 to 2011 was 2.03 crore metric tonnes; permits were issued to transport ore from various places to Belekeri port worth 1.26 crore metric tonnes; illegal ore exported was 7.73 million metric tonnes; illegal ore export was highest in 2009-10 at 3.65 million metric tonnes; illegal export in two months in 2010-11 was a record breaking 1.15 million metric tones.
Justice Santosh Hegde in chapter 2 titled ‘Export of illicit iron ore from Belekeri port’ on illegal mining said that large scale irregularities were found in the small port at Belekeri, south of Karwar in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
His team, along with the forest department which had raided and seized ore at the port, had subsequently lost most of it to theft. About 610,000 tonnes of the seized ore was stolen, while only 272,000 tonne remains at the port.
The report states large scale illegal exports of ore was done by private companies Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Pvt Ltd, Adani Enterprises Ltd, Salgaonkar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd and Raj Mahal Silks.
Officials of the ports department, customs, police, KSPCB, CRZ, mines department and local politicians received bribes from Adani Enterprises for undue favors for illegal exports.
It was found that 44 companies were supplying ore exclusively to Adani, 30 companies to SMSPL and eight to both companies.
The companies are GG Mines of Gogga Gurushantaiah and brothers, Continent Impex Pvt Ltd, Nagappa mines of Shantalakshmi Jairam, SB Minerals, Junjubail of Dream Logistics, SVK Jaisingpura of SB Minerals, SVK Danapur of S B Minerals, VS Lad, Nadeem Minerals, Sunrise of SB Minerals, ILC of SB Minerals, ILC Bevanahalli, Trident Minerals, Lakshmi Venkateshwara Minerals, Arshad Export of SB Minerals, Alpine International of Vesco, Bharat Mines and Minerals, Taurine Iron and Steel Co Pvt Ltd and Satya Granites.
The report said that the ore illegally extracted and transported came from Hospet, Sandur, Bellary and Koppal.
The total ore exported from Belekeri port from 2006 to 2011 was 2.03 crore metric tonnes; permits were issued to transport ore from various places to Belekeri port worth 1.26 crore metric tonnes; illegal ore exported was 7.73 million metric tonnes; illegal ore export was highest in 2009-10 at 3.65 million metric tonnes; illegal export in two months in 2010-11 was a record breaking 1.15 million metric tones.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Shortage cripples steel industry in South India - Report
Friday, 22 Jul 2011 |By BS
BS reported that the steel industry in South India is in doldrums following a severe shortage of iron ore and a large number of sponge iron manufacturers and small steel mills are on the verge of closure while many have already shut shop.
As per report, some of the steel mills like Sathavahana Ispat, Kirloskar Ferrous, Kalyani Steels, Unimetal Ispat, Sandur Manganese and Iron Ore and Sandur Laminates have suspended their operations partially.
Karnataka contributes 30% of the national steel output, at 18.4 million tonnes annually. For 2011-12, steel, pig iron and sponge iron units collectively require 45 million tonnes of ore, while the present availability is limited to about 24 million tonnes which is 48% of the state’s total output.
According to Mr Vinod Nowal CEO and director of JSW Steel and president of the Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers’ Association, 22 of 60 sponge iron plants in Karnataka are closed for want of raw material.
Mr Nowal said that “While we strongly condemn any illegal mining, the government needs to ensure supply of required iron ore to steel plants without disruption.”
He added that “All the industries manufacturing steel, pig iron and the sponge iron, among others, are process oriented units and stopping/ starting of the furnaces involve huge risk and losses. To ensure continuity in the operation of the industries, there is a need to ensure the availability of iron ore to meet the day-to-day demand of various industries.”
Mr Basant Poddar vice president of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries said that “The industry fears the Supreme Court may order closure of many more mines in the BHS region and, if that happens, the availability of iron ore could be reduced to as low as 7 million tonnes to 8 million tonnes, which will be a death blow to the steel industry in the state.”
The shortage of iron ore is in the wake of suspension of activities in almost 50 mines in this state following the direction of the Supreme Court, which is hearing a case on illegal mining. Based on the recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee out of 99 mining leases, the apex court has ordered the shutting of 40 mines in the Bellary, Hospet and Sandur region.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Independent regulator to be set up
Thursday, 21 Jul 2011 |source BL
Intensifying its drive against large scale illegal mining, the government has approved setting up an independent sectoral regulator vested with the power to investigate such cases and launch prosecution.
The decision to set up an independent regulator, the National Mining Regulatory Authority for the mining sector was taken by a Group of Ministers formed to iron out the inter ministerial differences on the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation at its recent meeting.
The GoM headed by the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee had resolved that “On the role of NMRA, it was agreed that it would be a body to review sectoral issues and would have the power to investigate and launch prosecution against cases of large scale illegal mining.”
The ministerial panel also recommended the establishment of similar authorities by state governments at their level to curb illegal mining, as per an official document.
It said the authority, besides keeping a close vigil on illegal mining and reviewing sectoral issues will also advise the Government on policy and strategy, including royalty rates.
Asking the mines ministry to prepare a fresh draft of the Bill, the panel directed it to place it before the Cabinet for approval at the earliest, so that the Bill can be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament.
Concerned over increasing instances of illegal mining in 11 mineral rich states, the centre has already asked all the state governments to constitute high level committees to crack down on the menace.
At present, there are not enough legal provisions for central intervention when illegal mining takes place in states. The magnitude of the problem is such that as many as 42,000 cases of violation were detected in the states last year.
Intensifying its drive against large scale illegal mining, the government has approved setting up an independent sectoral regulator vested with the power to investigate such cases and launch prosecution.
The decision to set up an independent regulator, the National Mining Regulatory Authority for the mining sector was taken by a Group of Ministers formed to iron out the inter ministerial differences on the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation at its recent meeting.
The GoM headed by the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee had resolved that “On the role of NMRA, it was agreed that it would be a body to review sectoral issues and would have the power to investigate and launch prosecution against cases of large scale illegal mining.”
The ministerial panel also recommended the establishment of similar authorities by state governments at their level to curb illegal mining, as per an official document.
It said the authority, besides keeping a close vigil on illegal mining and reviewing sectoral issues will also advise the Government on policy and strategy, including royalty rates.
Asking the mines ministry to prepare a fresh draft of the Bill, the panel directed it to place it before the Cabinet for approval at the earliest, so that the Bill can be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament.
Concerned over increasing instances of illegal mining in 11 mineral rich states, the centre has already asked all the state governments to constitute high level committees to crack down on the menace.
At present, there are not enough legal provisions for central intervention when illegal mining takes place in states. The magnitude of the problem is such that as many as 42,000 cases of violation were detected in the states last year.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Mr Hegde dismisses allegations about delay in second report
Tuesday, 05 Jul 2011
Dismissing allegations that there was deliberate delay, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde on Sunday said his team is working toward finalizing the second and final report on illegal mining in the State to be released this month.
Speaking to PTI, Mr Hegde rejected allegations by some opposition Congress leaders of deliberate delay in finalizing the report.
He said that “I have got a team of four people working on it. There are thousands and thousands of pages involved in it. Therefore, there has been some delay, and certain political parties are attributing motives and I don’t care a damn about anybody.”
Mr Hegde a member of the joint committee drafting the Lokpal bill explained that unlike the first report submitted by him to the Government in December 2008, this time a lot of information needed to be collated.
He noted that in recent months, CBI and Central Empowered Committee also made enquiries (on the illegal mining in Karnataka) and there were a series of Income Tax department raids in March.
Mr Hegde a former Supreme Court judge referring to some delay in compiling the report said that “They (CBI, CEC and IT department) agreed to give us some inputs; we agreed to give them some inputs.”
Mr Hegde said that “People should understand that there are (Lokayukta) people who are working on Sundays...day and night (to complete the report). Main reason is we can’t have more people (working on it) because then other issues will come up such as ‘oh! report is leaked’ and all that.”
He said the report would be submitted to the Government this month itself.
(Sourced from The Hindu)
Dismissing allegations that there was deliberate delay, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde on Sunday said his team is working toward finalizing the second and final report on illegal mining in the State to be released this month.
Speaking to PTI, Mr Hegde rejected allegations by some opposition Congress leaders of deliberate delay in finalizing the report.
He said that “I have got a team of four people working on it. There are thousands and thousands of pages involved in it. Therefore, there has been some delay, and certain political parties are attributing motives and I don’t care a damn about anybody.”
Mr Hegde a member of the joint committee drafting the Lokpal bill explained that unlike the first report submitted by him to the Government in December 2008, this time a lot of information needed to be collated.
He noted that in recent months, CBI and Central Empowered Committee also made enquiries (on the illegal mining in Karnataka) and there were a series of Income Tax department raids in March.
Mr Hegde a former Supreme Court judge referring to some delay in compiling the report said that “They (CBI, CEC and IT department) agreed to give us some inputs; we agreed to give them some inputs.”
Mr Hegde said that “People should understand that there are (Lokayukta) people who are working on Sundays...day and night (to complete the report). Main reason is we can’t have more people (working on it) because then other issues will come up such as ‘oh! report is leaked’ and all that.”
He said the report would be submitted to the Government this month itself.
(Sourced from The Hindu)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - SC restrains mining operation in Karnataka
Saturday, 30 Apr 2011
The Supreme Court today restrained 19 mines from carrying out mining operations and transportation of iron ore in Bellary region of Karnataka.
A special forest Bench headed by Chief Justice Mr SH Kapadia also said it would pass an order on another 68 mines which have been indicted by the apex court appointed Central Empowered Committees for violating rules in mining operations.
The Bench said in an interim order said that “We make it clear that there would be no mining or transportation of mined materials (in 19 mines) till further order.”
The Bench, however, did not pass any order against 68 other mines, which have approached the Karnataka High Court. It directed the amicus curie Mr ADN Rao to file transfer petition after getting list of the companies which had approached the high court so that those cases could also be heard by it.
The Bench passed the order on the basis of reports of CEC in which it has been stated that large-scale illegal mining was on in Karnataka particularly in Bellary district in connivance with officials and public representatives.
The CEC had on April 15th 2011 filed its report before the apex court in which it had said that there has been illegal mining on colossal scale in the state, particularly in Bellary district with active connivance of officials of the departments concerned and also public representatives.
The SC had in February directed the CEC to conduct a probe over allegations of illegal mining in the state and submit a report within six weeks.
The court's direction had come after a petition filed by an NGO had submitted that as per Karnataka Lokayukta report, mining activities were being carried not only illegally but also in the areas categorized as forest land.
Earlier, the Bench had directed the CEC to probe the Andhra Pradesh side of the Bellary region.
NGO Samaj Parivartan Samudaya had alleged that the governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh had failed to stop the rampant illegal mining of iron ore, which adversely affected the livelihood of local people, especially the rural poor. It had alleged that illegal mining had resulted in an encroachment of 1,114.8 hectares of forest land in Karnataka.” (sourced from PTI)
A special forest Bench headed by Chief Justice Mr SH Kapadia also said it would pass an order on another 68 mines which have been indicted by the apex court appointed Central Empowered Committees for violating rules in mining operations.
The Bench said in an interim order said that “We make it clear that there would be no mining or transportation of mined materials (in 19 mines) till further order.”
The Bench, however, did not pass any order against 68 other mines, which have approached the Karnataka High Court. It directed the amicus curie Mr ADN Rao to file transfer petition after getting list of the companies which had approached the high court so that those cases could also be heard by it.
The Bench passed the order on the basis of reports of CEC in which it has been stated that large-scale illegal mining was on in Karnataka particularly in Bellary district in connivance with officials and public representatives.
The CEC had on April 15th 2011 filed its report before the apex court in which it had said that there has been illegal mining on colossal scale in the state, particularly in Bellary district with active connivance of officials of the departments concerned and also public representatives.
The SC had in February directed the CEC to conduct a probe over allegations of illegal mining in the state and submit a report within six weeks.
The court's direction had come after a petition filed by an NGO had submitted that as per Karnataka Lokayukta report, mining activities were being carried not only illegally but also in the areas categorized as forest land.
Earlier, the Bench had directed the CEC to probe the Andhra Pradesh side of the Bellary region.
NGO Samaj Parivartan Samudaya had alleged that the governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh had failed to stop the rampant illegal mining of iron ore, which adversely affected the livelihood of local people, especially the rural poor. It had alleged that illegal mining had resulted in an encroachment of 1,114.8 hectares of forest land in Karnataka.” (sourced from PTI)
Indian Supreme Court halts operations in 19 Karnataka mines.
The 19 mining lease holders
1. Ram Rao m.Poal
2. Adarsha Enterprises
3. J.M.Vrushbendraih
4. Sparkline Mining Corporation
5. Shiva Vilas Trust
6. J.M.Vrushbhendraih
7. Jai Santhoshi Matha Mining Enterprises
8. D.Ramesh
9. VSL Mining Company
10. Karthikeshwar Mining & Iron Ore Co.P.Ltd.
11. Arogayya Das
12. Praveen Kumar Nikkam
13. B.Rudragowda
14. Mithra Mineral Enterprises
15. B.Minerals
16. Muneer Enterprises/ Minerals
17. Trident Minerals
18. veeyam Pvt.Ltd.
19. A.Arogayya Das
sourced Business Line
1. Ram Rao m.Poal
2. Adarsha Enterprises
3. J.M.Vrushbendraih
4. Sparkline Mining Corporation
5. Shiva Vilas Trust
6. J.M.Vrushbhendraih
7. Jai Santhoshi Matha Mining Enterprises
8. D.Ramesh
9. VSL Mining Company
10. Karthikeshwar Mining & Iron Ore Co.P.Ltd.
11. Arogayya Das
12. Praveen Kumar Nikkam
13. B.Rudragowda
14. Mithra Mineral Enterprises
15. B.Minerals
16. Muneer Enterprises/ Minerals
17. Trident Minerals
18. veeyam Pvt.Ltd.
19. A.Arogayya Das
sourced Business Line
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - CBI issues notices to 65 iron ore miners
Sunday, 13 Feb 2011
Soon after the Supreme Court lifted its stay on the export of iron ore, the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting an inquiry into illegal mining particularly in the Andhra Pradesh Karnataka border area of Bellary and issued notices to 65 mining companies in the district.
The companies include those owned by Karnataka tourism minister Mr G Janardhana Reddy, his family members and close associates.
The companies have been asked to furnish details about their export, mining lease plans and permits, monthly and annual returns, articles of association, details of company directors and their balance sheets from 1998 to date.
After a CBI team concluded a three day inspection of various mining areas in the district, Mr PV Seetharam inspector of police CBI Bangalore, issued the notices to the companies, which have to respond by February 18.
An official said the CBI's intention is to unearth the Reddy owned Obalapuram Mining Co's deals on mining leases in the district, mutual contracts with other companies, as well as any illegal mining leases and transactions.
(Sourced from domain-B)
Soon after the Supreme Court lifted its stay on the export of iron ore, the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting an inquiry into illegal mining particularly in the Andhra Pradesh Karnataka border area of Bellary and issued notices to 65 mining companies in the district.
The companies include those owned by Karnataka tourism minister Mr G Janardhana Reddy, his family members and close associates.
The companies have been asked to furnish details about their export, mining lease plans and permits, monthly and annual returns, articles of association, details of company directors and their balance sheets from 1998 to date.
After a CBI team concluded a three day inspection of various mining areas in the district, Mr PV Seetharam inspector of police CBI Bangalore, issued the notices to the companies, which have to respond by February 18.
An official said the CBI's intention is to unearth the Reddy owned Obalapuram Mining Co's deals on mining leases in the district, mutual contracts with other companies, as well as any illegal mining leases and transactions.
(Sourced from domain-B)
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